Suzuki signs with Twins

The Minnesota Twins have found a replacement for Joe Mauer at catcher.

The Twins and catcher Kurt Suzuki agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year
contract on Friday, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The
Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because
Suzuki has to pass a physical before the contract can be signed.

Minnesota was in the market for a veteran catcher after announcing
last month that Mauer was moving to first base. It was a difficult
decision for Mauer, the two-time AL batting champion who always has felt
his value to the team was highest when he was catching.

But a concussion from a batted ball deflecting off his head on Aug.
19 ended his season and ultimately is what convinced Mauer to relent.
The Twins had an opening at first base after trading Justin Morneau to
Pittsburgh, so Mauer will take over for his long-time friend as the
full-time first baseman.

Once that decision was made, the Twins went into the free-agent
market looking for a veteran who could handle a revamped pitching staff
and give them some production at the plate. They had conversations with
A.J. Pierzynski and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but both chose to sign
elsewhere.

That's when the Twins turned their attention to Suzuki, who hit .232
with five homers and 32 RBIs for the Washington Nationals and Oakland
Athletics last season. He'll be counted on to help integrate newcomers
Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes to the starting rotation and bring along
younger pitchers like Kyle Gibson and Alex Meyer.

The 30-year-old Suzuki will also be tasked with mentoring prospect
Josmil Pinto, who filled in nicely for Mauer at the end of last season.
Pinto hit .342 with four homers in 21 games last season. But the
24-year-old Venezuelan has a long way to go when it comes to defense and
calling a game, so Suzuki and bench coach Terry Steinbach will be there
to help him along.

Suzuki only threw out 12 percent of base stealers last season, but has thrown out 26 percent in his big league career.